liberatory

American  

[lib-ruh-tawr-ee, lib-er-uh-tawr-ee] / ˈlɪb rəˌtɔr i, ˈlɪb ər əˌtɔr i /

adjective

1. having a liberating effect; liberating.

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Explanation

If something is liberatory, it gives you a sense of freedom and relief. If you're bored waiting for something to end so that you can go home, the signal that you can finally leave is liberatory. Liberatory comes from a Latin word liberare meaning "to set free." This is also where we get words like liberation and liberally. It can refer to something that gives literal freedom, like a clock chiming when it's time to go home, or metaphorical freedom, like a book that gives you a new perspective.

Example Sentences

Seniors are favorite characters of Ms. Williams, avatars of a spirit of liberatory indifference.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 14, 2025

In this country, the liberatory heart of Christianity, among other religious traditions, has always been a source of strength for popular social movements.

From Salon • Jul. 21, 2025

I work with a small community-run organization that is queer, trans, environmentalist and holds what we describe as liberatory politics.

From New York Times • Jul. 7, 2022

What digital culture has done is so extraordinary in so many liberatory and mesmeratory ways — and so many punishing and brutal and shaming ways, for sure.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 4, 2022

How moments of liberation, which are often not just a moment, but nonetheless, more finite pushes that are liberatory.

From Seattle Times • Sep. 15, 2021